Dress in Context

Dress in Context is an intriguing exploration of the multifaceted relationships between dress, the body, and society. The interactive ebook explores the material language of fashion and its intricate ties to self-expression, culture, and personal identity. It covers the far-reaching implications of dress as a form of nonverbal communication that influences perceptions of status, identity, and social changes within various contexts.

The interactive ebook format allows students to read the text of each chapter and engage with digital learning activities—including skill-building activities, assignments, discussions, flashcards, and video—all within a single system.

The ebook provides readers with a detailed analysis of clothing as a symbol and an active participant in cultural discourse. It navigates through themes of appearance management and the symbolic meanings attributed to dress, addressing self-image, gender expression, and how clothing relates to constructing one's identity. It also integrates analysis on how aesthetics, ethics, and functionality intersect within the framework of dress. Deep connections between dress, performance, and belief are examined, demonstrating how clothing shapes our interpretations of social norms and individual personality.

Dress in Context lays the groundwork for a critical examination of why humans wear what they do and what it says about who we are and the societies we live in. It is ideal for courses in sociology, anthropology, fashion studies, and gender studies.